News Summary
York County, SC, is under a weather alert for strong thunderstorms with wind gusts up to 40 mph, as issued by the NWS. Residents in several areas may experience heavy rain and gusty winds, leading to risks such as downed tree limbs and difficult driving conditions. The NWS warns of frequent lightning and the potential for localized flooding, advising residents to seek shelter and remain cautious while on the roads.
York County, SC is under a weather alert for strong thunderstorms as issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) Greenville-Spartanburg on Tuesday night. The alert, updated at 9:08 p.m., is effective until 9:45 p.m. and predicts wind gusts reaching up to 40 mph, posing a risk to residents in the area.
At 9:07 p.m., Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm centered near York, moving northeast at a speed of 30 mph. Residents in several areas, including Gastonia, York, Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Belmont, south Gastonia, Tega Cay, Clover, Newport, and Cramerton may experience gusty winds along with heavy rain. The NWS warns that the combination of strong winds and heavy rainfall could bring down tree limbs and scatter unsecured objects.
This ongoing storm system is expected to produce frequent cloud-to-ground lightning strikes, which can occur up to 10 miles away from the storm’s core. To emphasize safety, residents are encouraged to seek refuge indoors during the storm. Heavy downpours accompanying the storm may lead to ponding of water on roadways, which could create hazardous driving conditions. The NWS advises motorists to slow down and remain cautious while navigating the affected areas.
Earlier updates from the NWS included a weather alert at 4:47 p.m. for thunderstorms valid until 5:30 p.m. During this timeframe, wind gusts were anticipated to reach up to 50 mph. A thunderstorm was detected at 4:46 p.m., located 10 miles northwest of York near Kings Mountain State Park, with a northeast movement at 20 mph. This earlier warning affected numerous localities, including Gastonia, South Gastonia, Clover, Dallas, Cramerton, Lowell, Ranlo, Kings Mountain State Park, Crowders Mountain State Park, and McAdenville.
In addition to high winds and lightning, heavy rainfall is expected during the storms, which raises the risk of localized flooding in affected areas. The NWS has previously highlighted the dangers of sudden downpours that can make roads treacherous and contribute to flooding incidents.
The threat posed by lightning strikes has been emphasized by the NWS, citing that approximately 25 million lightning strikes occur in the United States annually, resulting in about 20 fatalities each year. As thunderstorms draw near, the risk of lightning is elevated, peaking when the storm is directly overhead.
For those who might find themselves outside or without access to shelter, it’s essential to be aware of the concept of hydroplaning, which happens when a vehicle loses traction on wet roads due to water buildup in front of the tires. The conditions prompting hydroplaning can vary and are critical for drivers to keep in mind when rain begins to fall heavily.
The severe weather alerts for York County began earlier this week, with notices issued on Saturday night at 8:06 p.m. for thunderstorms until 8:30 p.m. During that instance, winds were projected to gust up to 40 mph, with the potential for pea-sized hail. The storm at 8:05 p.m. was recorded just 4 miles north of York and was nearly stationary at the time.
Residents are reminded to stay alert for further updates from the NWS and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during the ongoing stormy weather conditions.
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Additional Resources
- Herald Online
- Wikipedia: Thunderstorm
- Island Packet
- Google Search: Thunderstorm Safety
- York Daily Record
- Google Scholar: Severe Weather Alert
- WGAL
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Thunderstorm
- Fox43
- Google News: York County Weather
Author: HERE Greenwood
GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER The GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGreenwood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Greenwood, Greenwood County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Festival of Flowers, Greenwood Community Theatre performances, and agricultural showcases at the Greenwood County Fairgrounds. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Greenwood United Ministry, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as FujiFilm Manufacturing and Self Regional Healthcare. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
